Most empires are a squalid, disgusting business of bullying and exploitation, but they tend to spread information and, sometimes, values. I think the British one had the advantage that lots of Britons held values that taught the exploited to fight and overcome. Today's India is a tribute to all those who voted for Indian MPs and backed independence here in the UK. As has been said, some decent notions were spread worldwide, even - just about - to the United States. And remember all those who voted for Irish Home Rule: in my Country it was more than in Ireland.

Reading this sparked an epiphany of sorts for me; isn't the influence of the United states considered somewhat of an empire without borders? I'm guessing that just the same as you can own intellectual property or that trespassing charges can be brought without any actual physical agrees, a country or even an empire might be nothing but ideas and information. A declaration of war could be nothing more than the threat of financial ruin.

Reading this sparked an epiphany of sorts for me; isn't the influence of the United states considered somewhat of an empire without borders? I'm guessing that just the same as you can own intellectual property or that trespassing charges can be brought without any actual physical agrees, a country or even an empire might be nothing but ideas and information. A declaration of war could be nothing more than the threat of financial ruin.

It really is, when you consider that all oil trade (until recently) is done in us dollars, and the implications surrounding that.

Charlemagne was the First Holy Roman Emperor and the European Union's capital is called the Charlemagne building.

The Charlemagne prize is given to those who assist with the unification of Europe. Charlemagne is referred to as the founder of Western culture and all French and German Kings including Napoleon took him as their Patron and had the tradition of invoking him. Western European sovereignties outside of the Holy Roman Empire considered Their Kingdoms descendants of his kingdom.

I'd say this is all grounds first saying the Roman Empire is the most influential In-Shaping western civilization.

I agree that the Roman Empire was the most influential, but I do feel the Charlemagne 'usurped' the title from Constantinople, and the true 'Roman' Emperors (the Isaurian dynasty) were insulted by the affront of the Pope in crowning him thus.